Mike Montgomery Named Assistant Coach for USA Basketball's 2002 World Championship Team

Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
Release: 12/13/2001

Dec. 13, 2001

Indianapolis, In - Stanford University head basketball coach Mike Montgomery, Oklahoma's head coach Kelvin Sampson and San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich were announced today as assistant coaches of USA Basketball's 2002 World Championship Team that will compete in the 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championship for Men that is being held in Indianapolis, Indiana, Aug. 29-Sept. 8, 2002.

The assistant coach selections were made by the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Committee and approved by USA Basketball's Executive Committee.

Milwaukee Bucks head coach George Karl was announced on Oct. 9 head coach of the USA Basketball's 2002 World Championship Team. The first seven players of the World Championship squad were announced on Nov. 1 and included Olympic gold medalists Ray Allen (Milwaukee Bucks), Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets) and Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers), and 2001 NBA All-Star Antonio Davis (Toronto Raptors), Dallas Mavericks perennial All-Star Michael Finley, Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns), the USA's leading scorer and rebounder at the 2001 Goodwill Games, and Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana Pacers), the USA's second leading scorer and rebounder at the 2001 Goodwill Games.

Five additional players will be announced at a later date.

"Winning the World Championship is a major responsibility, and we've just inherited three winners in Gregg, Mike and Kelvin, all of whom have shown the ability to create an environment of sustained success in their respective programs," said USA head coach Karl.

Montgomery is in his 16th season as head coach at Stanford University. Compiling at Stanford an overall record of 322-147 in 15-plus seasons, Montgomery has led his teams to winning records in 14 of those 15 seasons, guided the Cardinal to post-season berths in 13 of the last 14 seasons, and has compiled seven consecutive 20-win or better seasons. Montgomery has captured three consecutive Pac-10 Conference titles (1999-01). His overall career record (15-plus seasons at Stanford, 8 seasons at Montana) is 476-223.

"This a great opportunity and I am looking forward to being a part of George Karl's coaching staff, and working with this group of outstanding players from the United States," said Montgomery. "I have always looked forward for the opportunity to work with professional players, and to coach at the World Championships."

The United States owns a 91-23 overall record in World Championship play and has won three gold, three silver and three bronze medals in the 13 previous FIBA World Championships that were first played in 1950. The USA finished 7-2 and in possession of the bronze medal in the 1998 World Championship in Greece after fielding a team comprised of collegians and professional players who were either competing overseas or in the Continental Basketball Association.
The United States in 1994, featuring a squad of NBA stars, won the gold in Toronto, Canada, finishing with an unblemished 8-0 record.